Bpositive
  • Home
  • Why Bpositive?
    • What we do
  • Bulletin
  • Newsletter
  • Contact us

Simple illustration that shows the process of blood and platelet donation.

1/14/2014

0 Comments

 
Picture
0 Comments

A New Year's Revolution | Minding the gap...(and making the District line worthwhile)

1/8/2014

2 Comments

 
Anyone who lives in London and has to suffer the tubes in a morning will tell you that aside from reading the free Metro or Evening Standard newspaper and picking up the complimentary Sport or TimeOut supplements, their commute is perhaps not the most enjoyable experience. 

In a bid to avoid moaning or encourage people to smile through their journey to work, (as I know that my own mind, body and soul doesn't start functioning until I've had my morning coffee with two sugars from the guys at my local Cafe Nero), I do, however, think there's an opportunity to be had in maximising the time spent underground. My commute is typically an one hour door-to-door journey, slowly trudging along the district line as the (what can only be described as) wagon I'm sat on attempts to get me from West To East London. 

Those 40mins spent sat down are usually consumed with my head being buried within the aforementioned supplements, flicking my way through the same articles day after day. That's why I have decided to make a New Year's' revolution to myself; that I will be more productive with my commute as often as possible. This may be through dedicating more time to writing, thinking and acting positively towards all things Bpositive. Creating content for blogs (as I am just now), making photo edits, jotting down notes, things to do, lists, scribbling down ideas, songs of the week suggestions, thoughts and plans etc - whatever it is just do it and be more productive - that's my goal.

There's certainly a window of opportunity with my combined 80 minute daily commute to be of more use to myself and more effective to the things around me - and one I aim to try and fulfil throughout the year. So watch this space, get on board and mind the gaps in these forthcoming ramblings from the district line. 

Chances are I'm being held at a red signal at Earl's Court.

JR
Picture
A window of opportunity from the District Line
2 Comments

How to talk to someone who has cancer

1/6/2014

4 Comments

 
Picture
I decided to browse the wonderful world, wide, web in the hope of finding some inspiring stories or artwork to kick off my first blog of 2014. I stumbled across this fantastic illustration which cleverly depicts the often awkwardness experienced from talking to people who are battling cancer. The piece was put together by Jo Hilder - a cancer survivor who, since overcoming her illness (Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma) in 2004, has become part of the Cancer Council NSW organisation in Australia. 

The illustration, in my opinion, really helps covey how a patient diagnosed with cancer can experience such a dichotomy of other people's thoughts, feelings and questions. It begs the question; What do you say to someone who has cancer? That is a question that possibly cannot be defined with a single answer. It must depend on the individuals involved - some may find humour a release, some may not wish to acknowledge the disease itself, some may pour their heart out and be a complete open book about things. The latter was my chosen method, for what it's worth. People often want to help - but do not realise just how -and this is perfectly normal. The experience of cancer to a friend, loved one or relative can be extremely difficult to comprehend and often people are afraid of discussing the very reason they are visiting their friend, the elephant in the room, the cancer.

The illustration cleverly annotates the questions and thoughts laid down, in red - and almost acts as the 'voice of reason' if you will, like an omnipotent presence that can see the situation for what it is and subsequently narrate the audience throughout this 'journey'.

I think this artwork is an excellent depiction of the journey of a patient told through the things people say. Whilst the annotations make it seem almost light-hearted in tone, there is perhaps an underlying true sentiment to the overall cluster of comments, confusion and the mixture of not knowing what to say. Words such as 'That's terrible and 'I'm sorry'  along with the small gestures such as 'hugs and other stuff', 'transport' and 'home help' all covey the confusion, sentiments thoughts which conjure up a blueprint of how to talk to someone who has cancer. 

Chances are if you haven't experienced cancer yourself then you may well know someone who has - and i'm sure there's something for everyone to take heed of in this fantastic illustration.

JR

Find out more about Jo Hilder here 
4 Comments

    Bpositive Support & Information blog

    A mixture of insightful comments, posts and general 'blogging' from various Bpositive contributors

    Categories

    All
    Inspirations
    News
    Personal Stories
    Photography And Artwork
    Photography And Artwork
    Support Events
    Support Events
    Videos

    Archives

    January 2020
    October 2019
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    January 2019
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    March 2015
    November 2014
    August 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013

    RSS Feed

Bpositive

Why Bpositive?
What we do

Support

Connect
Events & Fundraising
Get in touch

Blogs

Support & Information 


Music
Challenges 


Donate

Annual Patient Meeting
Become a supporter
Join Bpositive

Picture
info@bpositive.org.uk
Registered charity number 1156322 © Bpositive 2016